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A starting lineup of Kevin Garnett, Jason Collier, Troy Hudson, Gary Trent and Quincy Lewis wouldn't exactly give the Los Angeles Lakers or the San Antonio Spurs shivers.
It might not even scare the Memphis Grizzlies or Denver Nuggets.
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Because of injuries to four of their six top players, the Timberwolves had to use those five players as starters Wednesday night in a 90-76 loss to the Toronto Raptors.
When the Wolves opened training camp almost two weeks ago, they envisioned all-star
Garnett would be surrounded by Wally Szczerbiak, Latrell Sprewell, Michael Olowokandi
and Hudson or Sam Cassell. Ticketmaster
Although the start of the regular season is less than two weeks away, the Wolves
can't project who will be in the starting lineup then. They have to worry about
getting their core of players healthy so they can practice together, something
that has yet to happen.
"We'll all know how to play together when it all boils down to it,"
Hudson said. "But we definitely need to get each other on the court for
at least a couple games before the regular season starts. But you don't want
to rush guys back from injuries."
The latest blow came Wednesday when Cassell missed the game because of sore
feet following a two-hour practice Tuesday. Fred Hoiberg (heel) and Mark Madsen
(groin) also sat out.
The original blueprint by the Wolves was to use training camp and exhibition
games to work new players into a team that is trying to get past the first round
of the playoffs for the first time. Ticketmaster
At this point, the Wolves are happy they haven't made any cuts and they're able
to dress enough players.
"When you get to the last week, you're going to gear up with those guys
saying that these are the guys we're probably going to be playing with,"
Wolves coach Flip Saunders said. "That's how you have to approach it."
Szczerbiak, Sprewell and Olowokandi have had the most injuries.
Szczerbiak has been bothered by plantar fasciitis in his left foot. A magnetic
resonance imaging exam done Tuesday revealed a bit of a "stretch,"
Saunders said.
"The doctor told him it's something he's going to have to work through,"
Saunders said. "In another week or so hopefully he'll be able to do more
extended stuff."
Szczerbiak missed 30 games last season because of a dislocated left toe.
Sprewell participated throughout Tuesday's practice, and he possibly could see
his first action against Indiana on Friday. Olowokandi has yet to return from
knee surgery last month. Ticketmaster
"We definitely have to get ahead of the chemistry curve," Garnett
said. "Guys are part of walk-throughs, so that's better than nothing. Obviously,
in practice you can go as long as you want."
Though Saunders has not been able to work on team continuity and chemistry,
he is optimistic he will have his key players on the court when the season starts.
"Right now I'm not concerned," he said.